The VA privatization debate: 5 things to know

As the nominee for VA secretary awaits his confirmation hearing, debate is heating up over how involved healthcare's private sector should be in the second-largest federal agency.

By Tony Abraham • April 11, 2018

Is the doctor shortage problem overblown?

While supply is not keeping up with population growth, technology and use of non-physicians may ease any shortfall. 

By Meg Bryant • April 11, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Labor

Hospitals are navigating persistent labor shortages with the need to cut costs — a source of contention that could leave patients caught in the middle.

By Healthcare Dive staff

Medicaid improves access, preventive services, AHIP report says

The study comes as Virginia considers becoming the 34th state to expand Medicaid under the ACA.

By Les Masterson • April 11, 2018

Medicare Advantage gets supplemental benefits flexibility, including for transport

The change opens the door to benefits not directly related to healthcare, such as meal delivery and ride-hailing services like Lyft.

By Meg Bryant • April 10, 2018

California bill would create healthcare price controls

The proposal would authorize an independent commission to set private health plan prices based on what Medicare pays for those services.

By Meg Bryant • April 10, 2018

States get more power over ACA essential health benefits with final rule

The sweeping rule is the latest in the Trump administration’s steady chipping away at the landmark health law, which has been coupled with a move to give states more control over their healthcare regulations.

By Jeff Byers • April 9, 2018

M&A risks patient safety, JAMA report warns

Mergers, acquisitions and affiliations are led by financial experts who may not prepare organizations for changes in patient population and practice settings.  

By Les Masterson • April 9, 2018

CVS points finger back at pharma for drug prices

The retail giant says it managed to keep drug costs flat despite 8.3% specialty drug pricing growth.

By Suzanne Elvidge • April 9, 2018

Medicare to pay hundreds of thousands for CAR-T therapies

CMS will give hospitals outpatient reimbursements of about $400,000 for Gilead's Yescarta and $500,000 for Novartis' Kymriah.

By Jacob Bell • April 6, 2018

Facebook confirms asking top hospitals for patient data

The technology company planned to use the de-identified patient data to help hospitals target patients who may need care.

By Jeff Byers • April 6, 2018

Opioid prescriptions down while addiction, overdose costs rise

The Kaiser Family Foundation looked at claims data for large employers between 2004 and 2016 to examine treatment costs from the opioid crisis.  

By Les Masterson • April 6, 2018

Pop health program reduced ED use, inpatient hospitalizations

A new Health Affairs study found that a Baylor Scott & White Health and Wellness Center program with the Dallas Park and Recreation Department showed cost savings after one year.  

By Les Masterson • April 5, 2018

Surgeon General: More people should carry naloxone

The advisory comes a week before Congress is set to consider two competing packages aimed at curbing the opioid crisis.

By David Lim • April 5, 2018

Lafayette General threatens to shutter hospital amid budget impasse

LGH said that without funding either Louisiana State University will have to take over University Hospitals & Clinics again or the health system will close the hospital and lay off its employees on July 1.  

By Les Masterson • April 5, 2018

Virginia bill giving NPs full practice rights awaits signature

Gov. Ralph Northam, a physician, has not indicated whether he’ll sign, amend or veto the bill that overwhelmingly passed the General Assembly.  

By Les Masterson • April 4, 2018

ACA plans expanded coverage for chronic conditions

Repeal of the individual mandate penalty, which goes into effect next year, will likely put the burden on states to figure out how to stabilize the ACA exchanges.  

By Les Masterson • April 4, 2018

Medicaid FFS biggest factor in billing headaches, report finds

A Health Affairs study found that there are more challenged claims with traditional Medicaid than involving other payers. Also, Medicaid payments take longer to process than others, including Medicare.  

By Les Masterson • April 4, 2018

Insurers bracing to hike premiums in 2019 and beyond

Despite worries about the individual market, consumers may not be running for the exits just yet.

By David Lim • April 4, 2018

'Nightmare' bacteria found in 221 cases across 27 states

The incidents reported by the CDC were mostly found in hospitals and nursing homes, especially those where patients might be on ventilators for long periods of time.

By Jeff Byers • April 4, 2018

Study finds 'pervasive' income disparities in pediatric hospitalizations

The report suggests that hospitals should spend more time on inpatient to outpatient transitions and on population health.

By Meg Bryant • April 3, 2018

Payers get better-than-expected Medicare Advantage rate increase

CMS also increased the role encounter data will play in determining risk scores and announced policies to target opioid abuse.  

By Les Masterson • April 3, 2018

Medicare ACOs missing federal cost-savings predictions, analysis finds

The finding raises questions about the long-term success of the Medicare Shared Savings Program, which has swelled to 561 ACOs from 27 six years ago.

By Meg Bryant • April 2, 2018

NQF report finds gaps in post-acute, long-term care measures

The report suggests a need for bidirectional measures that hold both referring providers and nursing homes accountable for care.

By Meg Bryant • April 2, 2018

States need more rules to protect individual insurance market

Changes made by the federal government may further destabilize the ACA exchanges, a new Commonwealth Fund report said.  

By Les Masterson • April 2, 2018

DexCom's glucose monitoring system gets FDA approval

The news opens the door for streamlined review of similar devices.

By Meg Bryant • March 29, 2018